Barbara Polidura

Barbara Polidura has loved drawing and painting since childhood. After studying fashion design in Berlin, she immigrated to the United States in 1974 and later settled in Tennessee. She returned to university, earning a BS in psychology from Austin Peay State University and an MS in psychology from Murray State University.

During her professional career as a therapist, she directed several mental-health programs and helped establish the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) pilot program in Tennessee, working closely with law enforcement and emergency services. She is a member of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and has presented her work at international conferences.

Now retired, Polidura enjoys returning to her early passion for painting and storytelling. Catnip’s Magic Suitcase combines her love of art, animals, and imagination into a playful interactive book for young readers.